5 Reasons Going to the Dentist Isn’t as Bad as You Think

August 7, 2015

— By
Samantha M

Reports of an illegal trophy hunt by a Minnesota dentist made headlines this week – giving most of us one more reason to become rabid anti-dentites. When Walter J Palmer used cheap tricks and modern technology to poach Cecil the lion, most headlines pointed out not only his loathsome behaviour, but his profession as well; apparently, most of us think dentists are up to no good.

Why the dental hate? Good, healthy teeth are a must – but that doesn’t stop a full 78% of us from being scared of going to the dentist. Whether you hate the time drain, invasiveness or are afraid of needles and pain, worrying about your dental appointment may be worse than the actual appointment itself. Here are five reasons why it’s not so bad:

Time Off Work

Credit: Kai Hendry/Flickr

Need an afternoon off? Schedule a trip to the dentist! You likely need a checkup anyway, and everyone, including your boss, knows what a drag a dental appointment is. You can’t really be expected to return to work after that experience, right? Schedule your visit for just after lunch, and use “dental appointment” as your excuse. It’s not your fault if everyone assumes you meant “root canal” when you really meant “gentle cleaning and free toothbrush”.

You Really Hate the Chair, Not the Person

Credit: Finizio/Flickr

Your dentist is not out to get you – most entered the field because they wanted to help people, not harm them. Hate the chair, tools and procedures – and let your dentist know your feelings in advance. If you let him or her know you have anxiety they can come up with some strategies to ease your nerves and make you feel more comfortable.

The Drugs Do Work

Credit: Zdenko Zivkovic/Flickr

Speaking of nerves, the easiest and fastest way to get a patient to relax for dental work is to administer some heavy duty medications. Let the latest pharmaceuticals sweep you away – with sedation dentistry and the right combination of medications, you’ll forget all about the dentist and procedure.

You’ll Live Longer

Your dentist could be the first person to spot the signs of an actual medical condition. Some heart ailments and cancers can be spotted at their earliest stages in the dental chair – so that visit could save your life.

You’ll Look Younger

White, healthy teeth are a sign of youth – and regular visits to the dentist can help you maintain or regain a youthful appearance. If you are worried about the signs of aging, a trip to the dentist is a lot cheaper than a visit to the plastic surgeon and can actually improve your health and wellness, too.